What Can You Expect from the SCD Diet?

The SCD diet, or Specific Carbohydrate Diet, is a diet that eliminates starches, sugars, processed foods, grains, and most dairy. This diet removes many of the toxic foods that can wreak havoc on the body and cause digestive system issues, even in people who are healthy. The diet offers all of the nourishment that the body needs.

The diet is based on the fact that grains and processed sugar cause many digestive problems in people. As complex carbs like disaccharides or polysaccharides cause extra steps in the digestion process, they can also cause problems with those who have digestive issues. On the SCD diet, only monosaccharides are allowed because they are easy to break down in the body.

Because foods that are not digested completely can cause problems like bacteria and yeast overgrowth, it is vital that the digestive system is able to fully digest the foods that we take in. Without this important function, our bodies began harboring bacteria, yeast, and toxins that start a chain reaction in our digestive tracts, leading to intestinal irritation, cell damage, inflammation, a host of autoimmune disorders and nutrient malabsorption issues.

Through the SCD diet, this chain reaction is stopped and the bacteria and yeast populations are greatly reduced. Through the restoration of the healthy flora in the gut, the intestinal tract begins self-repair, allowing for healing from the damage.

Whom is the SCD Diet for?

While everybody can benefit from the SCD diet, it was created to help certain people who deal with digestive issues. Those with Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBS, Chrohn’s Disease, Diverticulitis, chronic diarrhea, and in recent years, Autism have done very well on the SCD diet. It appears that this way of eating allows for healing in many different digestive conditions.

What results can you expect from the SCD Diet?

Since every person’s body is different, there is no true way to tell when you will begin seeing results. It truly depends on the amount of damage in your gut and from what conditions you suffer. Most people who go on the SCD diet report seeing and feeling the benefits after a week or two on the diet. The first week or so is often rather difficult since the body begins to purge of toxins, yeast, and bacteria. It is during this time that many people feel like giving up on the diet, but those that stick with it report beginning to see major improvements once the diarrhea has subsided.

Many people have been successful with the SCD diet (I am one of them) and have been able to go off medications, such as Prednisone, for months and even years at a time. It is vital that you stick with the diet and do not cheat; those who cheat, especially in the beginning, end up rebounding and having symptoms. By sticking with the program in its entirety, you will see greater success and fewer symptoms over time.

How to Begin the SCD Diet

The SCD diet is one that needs to be started in a very precise manner. The diet begins with an introductory diet. This portion of the diet is important because it helps with the severe diarrhea and cramping that can occur in the first five days. The introductory diet severely limits the intake of foods, but the amounts are never limited. You may eat whatever amount your appetite requires.

It is vital that you begin with the introductory diet and do not try to go on the full SCD diet first. The reason for this is that your body needs time to start the healing process before you introduce a myriad of foods. It is vital that you do not stay on the introductory diet past five days as the introductory diet provides limited nutrition.

You can check out this link for a listing of foods that are allowed during the introductory diet.

Some people will only need to do the introductory diet for a couple of days, while others will need the diet for the full five days. Once the diarrhea has subsided, you can begin slowly adding in other foods one at a time, gauging your body’s reaction before introducing another food. You may begin adding cooked fruits and vegetables and very ripe bananas one at a time, making sure that a food does not cause any reactions before you introduce more. If you notice diarrhea, cramping, gas, or any other symptom, remove the food from your diet and try it again at a later date.

Mistakes You Should Avoid on the SCD Diet

In the beginning, many people who start out on the SCD diet end up making many mistakes that can delay their healing and progress. One of the biggest mistakes is not starting with the introductory diet. While you may feel that this is an unnecessary step, it is a vital step that kick starts your healing process and makes the diet more successful. Jumping head first into the full SCD diet will only lead to problems.

Cheating is another big mistake that people make. Some people mistakenly believe that a bite or two of bread or a sweet here and there will not affect their health. They could not be more wrong. Cheating only cheats your body of healing. It prolongs the healing process and feeds the bacteria and yeast that you are trying to remove. It also adds to your toxic levels and starts the entire chain reaction over again. If you plan to do the SCD diet, make a commitment to stick with it and not cheat (just one small bite can be enough to feed bacteria for a week or more!).

Another common mistake on the SCD diet is consuming too much dairy. While certain dairy products are legal on the diet, they can cause some issues depending on your system. It is vital that you keep a food diary and carefully monitor each food that you introduce and how your body reacts. By doing this you can keep on top of your symptoms and eliminate foods that cause you problems.

Adding processed foods is another big no-no on the diet. Processed foods can contain many ingredients that are not legal. These ingredients are often disguised under different names. Avoiding processed foods is the best way to keep your symptoms at bay and keep your health in check.

Mouth-Watering Recipes for the SCD Diet

Being on the SCD diet is limiting, but it does not have to be boring. There are many recipes on the net that can lead you to mouth-watering taste adventures, to keep your diet interesting. These SCD legal recipes are some of the best on the Internet and can help to soothe those cravings and keep you motivated to stick with the diet. The recipes include main dishes, breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and even desserts. You will love trying out new recipes and being able to stay within the legal limits of the diet.

Snacks

This information should help you get started on the SCD diet. There is a wealth of SCD recipes on the Internet. They may just inspire you to create your own. The important thing to remember is to keep all of your recipes legal. You can read up on the legal food list at this link:

Reading the book “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” can greatly help you towards learning how to make the most of the SCD diet. You will be amazed at how much better you feel as you progress through the new way of eating and truly learn to listen to your body.

You will stop being a slave to the bathroom and will actually be able to get out and enjoy life again. Having the energy and the drive to do what you love makes all the difference in the world. Commit yourself to good health today and begin the SCD diet.

It may be difficult at first but as soon as you begin to see the change, you will never want to turn back.

Through learning to eat the right way, you can completely revolutionize your health and take control of your body again. Being symptom-free is the best feeling in the world. Through the SCD diet, you too can feel that feeling and stop having those bad days. Get back to enjoying food again through this wonderful plan.